"Guess we're both full of surprises"

Taehyung chuckled, taking a slow sip of his wine, his gaze never leaving Jeongguk's.

"Are we?" he mused, tilting his head slightly, the dim light catching the sharp edge of his jaw. "Because I think I know exactly why you're here."

Jeongguk leaned in, his fingers brushing the bar counter, dangerously close to Taehyung's. "Do you?"

Taehyung hummed, setting his glass down with a soft clink. "You've been watching me." His voice was silk wrapped around steel. "From the moment you saw me. And yet, you're still here, even after the warning you just got."

Jeongguk's jaw tightened briefly at the mention of Suga's words, but he masked it with a smirk. "Warnings are for people who listen."

Taehyung laughed, low and rich, his eyes dark behind his mask. "Ah, so you're reckless, too. Not just obsessed."

Jeongguk's breath caught for just a second—because that was exactly what he didn't want to admit. That this was obsession. That Taehyung had somehow embedded himself into his thoughts, into his blood.

Taehyung leaned in just enough that Jeongguk could feel the warmth of his breath. "Tell me, Jeon. Do you want to keep playing this game, or do you want to find out just how dangerous I can be?"

Jeongguk exhaled slowly, eyes dropping to Taehyung's lips for the briefest second before meeting his gaze again. "I think I like a little danger."

Taehyung's smirk deepened. "Then dance with me."

And just like that, he reached for Jeongguk's hand, leading him towards the grand dance floor.

They moved toward the center of the grand hall, the slow, sensual melody weaving through the air like silk. The chandeliers above cast a golden glow, reflecting off the swirling masks and glittering gowns around them.

Taehyung stepped in closer, his presence intoxicating. With effortless grace, he placed a hand on Jeongguk's shoulder, fingers warm even through the fine fabric of his suit.

"Relax, Jeon," Taehyung murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, yet it sent a slow burn through Jeongguk's veins. "You look like you're preparing for battle."

Jeongguk smirked, resting a firm hand against Taehyung's waist, pulling him just a fraction closer. "Aren't I?"

Taehyung chuckled, low and knowing. "Oh, darling—if this is a battle, you've already lost."

And with that, they began to move, bodies pressed just enough to tease, just enough to test the limits of the air crackling between them.

They moved across the dance floor with effortless grace, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. Each step was calculated, precise—two men who knew how to command a space, how to own the moment.

Jeongguk twirled Taehyung, their movements fluid as water, and when he pulled him back, Taehyung's back met his chest in a perfect collision of heat and power.

But Taehyung wasn't one to be outdone. With a smirk that was barely visible beneath his mask, he shifted effortlessly, reclaiming control of the dance. His footwork was just as smooth, just as confident, each movement carrying the same elegance as the finest weapons—beautiful, yet deadly.

"You're good," Jeongguk murmured, his breath grazing Taehyung's ear.

Taehyung turned his head slightly, their faces inches apart, amusement flickering in his eyes. "I know."

jeongguk chuckled, " cocky too"

Taehyung smirked, tilting his head slightly as they moved in perfect synchrony. "Confident, Jeon. There's a difference."

Jeongguk chuckled, his grip tightening subtly around Taehyung's waist. "Debatable."

The music swelled, the world around them fading into a blur of gold and shadow. Taehyung's scent—something rich and dark, like expensive cologne and forbidden things—wrapped around Jeongguk, making it harder to remember why this was a bad idea.

Why this man—this Kim—was off-limits.

Taehyung leaned in just enough to be dangerous. "Are you enjoying yourself, Jeon?"

Jeongguk exhaled a quiet laugh, his lips curving. "Not sure yet."

Taehyung's smirk widened, his fingers trailing down Jeongguk's arm, slow, deliberate. "Then let's make sure you do."

Jeongguk's breath hitched, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he tightened his grip on Taehyung's waist, leading him across the dance floor with practiced ease.

Taehyung's eyes gleamed behind his mask, amusement dancing in the deep brown depths. "Careful, Jeon," he murmured, voice velvet-soft, "you might start to like me."

Jeongguk smirked, lowering his head just enough for his lips to brush against Taehyung's ear. "That would be a problem, wouldn't it?"

Taehyung's fingers curled against Jeongguk's shoulder, the only sign that the closeness affected him. He laughed softly, tilting his head so their masks nearly touched. "The worst kind."

For a moment, the world melted away—the tension, the history, the blood between their families. It was just them, moving together in perfect synchrony, shadows and silk weaving something dangerously intoxicating between them.

Then, just as the song reached its final note, Taehyung leaned in, close enough that Jeongguk could feel his breath against his lips.

"Try not to fall for me, Jeon," he whispered, stepping back, slipping away before Jeongguk could stop him.

And just like that, he was gone.

Jeongguk let out a silent exhale, his fingers curling into a fist at his side.

Taehyung had disappeared into the crowd like smoke—intangible, impossible to hold onto. The lingering warmth of his touch still burned on Jeongguk's skin, the ghost of his voice echoing in his ears.

Try not to fall for me, Jeon.

Jeongguk scoffed under his breath, rolling his shoulders back as if to shake off the weight of the moment. Too late.

His eyes scanned the room, searching for another glimpse of crimson silk, another chance to close the distance Taehyung had just created. But the Kim heir was nowhere to be found.

Hoseok's voice pulled him back to reality. "You look like you just got played."

Jeongguk huffed a laugh, though there was no humor in it. "Maybe I did."

And for the first time in his life, Jeon Jeongguk wasn't sure if he wanted to win this game—

Or let Kim Taehyung ruin him completely.

"And for the first time... maybe I want to get played again," Jeongguk murmured, almost to himself.

Hoseok stilled beside him, his smirk fading just slightly. He had known Jeongguk for years—had seen him at his best, at his worst, at his most ruthless. But this? This was different.

Jeongguk wasn't just intrigued.

He was enthralled.

Hoseok sighed, taking a slow sip of his drink. "You're fucked, Jeon."

Jeongguk only chuckled, gaze still sweeping the crowd for that elusive crimson silk. "Yeah... I think I am."